Health Minister launches drive against mosquito breeding on National Dengue Day

Health Minister launches State-wide drive to combat mosquito-borne diseases, focusing on destroying breeding spots and community involvement.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao launched a State-wide drive on Friday to check the mosquito menace. The drive aims to combat vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya by destroying the mosquito breeding spots.

Launching the drive in the Dhoomavati compound under Bolar ward, which reported more dengue and malaria cases, Mr. Rao said that stagnant freshwater deposits are breeding grounds for dengue-causing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and those causing malaria and chikungunya.

The department launched the drive early as a preventive measure, even before the infections spread. As part of the drive, healthcare personnel would visit door to door and destroy the breeding spots found in and around them.

He said the focus should be on the wards that have reported high vector-borne diseases in the past. People should join hands with the personnel to combat the diseases effectively.

He said a special meeting will be held shortly in Bengaluru before the drive in the metropolitan city is carried out.

The Minister said more dengue cases were reported across the State last year. This year, 29 dengue cases have been reported in Dakshina Kannada so far.

The drive against mosquito breeding sites was launched on Friday, National Dengue Day. After a brief interaction with personnel involved in the drive, the Minister went along with them to identify mosquito breeding spots and destroy them. He also distributed neem oil bottles to residents.